Convertible guidewire system and methods

Abstract

A guidewire converter for use in intravascular procedures along with a guidewire. The guidewire converter includes an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen having an inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The inner diameter of the lumen is sized to receive the guidewire for intravascular procedures. The guidewire converter includes a locking mechanism coupled to the elongate tubular structure that has a second outer diameter that is less than or substantially equal to the first outer diameter. Operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the guidewire.

1. A convertible guidewire for use in guiding a medical device adapted to be insertable into a human vascular system, the medical device having structure for engaging the convertible guidewire, the convertible guidewire comprising:
 an inner guidewire having a first outer diameter, the inner guidewire having an extended length to reach from outside a body of a patient having the human vascular system to a desired medical device target delivery site inside the body, the inner guidewire being flexible to a greater degree near a distal end thereof than near a proximal end thereof, the inner guidewire being adapted to be maneuverable through a tortuous path within the vascular system to reach the desired medical device target delivery site; 
 a guidewire converter comprising an elongate tubular structure having a length less than the extended length of the inner guidewire and defining a lumen having an inner diameter, the elongate tubular structure having a second outer diameter that is constant along most the length of guidewire converter and the second outer diameter being such that the structure for engaging is receivable over the second outer diameter to be routed to the desired medical target delivery site, the inner diameter of the lumen being such as to receive the inner guidewire therein for intravascular procedures and the second outer diameter being larger than the first outer diameter; and 
 a locking mechanism operably coupled to the elongate tubular structure, the locking mechanism having a third outer diameter that is less than or equal to the second outer diameter wherein operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the inner guidewire such that the convertible guidewire is convertible from a first size when the guidewire converter is secured to the inner guidewire to a second size when the inner guidewire is used alone such that the medical device can be passed over the proximal end of the inner guidewire or over the proximal end of the guidewire converter when the guidewire converter is secured to the inner guidewire by the locking mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The convertible guidewire as claimed in  claim 1 , the elongate tubular structure further comprising a distal less rigid portion and a proximal more rigid portion. 
     
     
       3. The convertible guidewire as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a tapered distal end including a radiopaque marker proximate the distal end. 
     
     
       4. The convertible guidewire as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a collet and a locking sleeve, the locking sleeve being slidably movable relative to the collet such that the collet is releasably securable to the inner guidewire. 
     
     
       5. A guidewire converter for use in intravascular procedures along with a guidewire having an extended length, comprising:
 an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen, the elongate tubular structure having a length less than the extended length, an inner diameter and a first outer diameter, the first outer diameter being constant along most of the length and the first outer diameter being sized to accommodate other intravascular medical devices routed over the guidewire converter to a desired medical target delivery site, the inner diameter of the lumen being such as to receive the guidewire for intravascular procedures; and 
 a locking mechanism operably coupled to the elongate tubular structure, the locking mechanism having a second outer diameter that is less than or equal to the first outer diameter such that operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the guidewire wherein operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the inner guidewire such that the medical device can be passed over the proximal end of the inner guidewire or over the proximal end of the guidewire converter when the guidewire converter is secured to the inner guidewire by the locking mechanism. 
 
     
     
       6. The guidewire converter as claimed in  claim 5 , the elongate tubular structure further comprising a distal less rigid portion and a proximal more rigid portion. 
     
     
       7. The guidewire converter as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a tapered distal end including a radiopaque marker proximate the distal end. 
     
     
       8. The guidewire converter as claimed in  claim 5 , the locking mechanism further comprising a collet and a locking sleeve, the locking sleeve being slidably movable relative to the collet such that the collet is releasably securable to the inner guidewire. 
     
     
       9. A method of providing a medical device, comprising:
 providing a guidewire converter comprising an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen having an inner diameter, the elongate tubular structure having a first outer diameter the first outer diameter being constant along most of a length of the elongate tubular structure, the inner diameter of the lumen being such as to receive an inner guidewire for intravascular procedures and the guidewire converter further comprising a locking mechanism operably coupled to the elongate tubular structure, the locking mechanism having a second outer diameter that is less than or equal to the first outer diameter wherein operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the inner guidewire; and 
 providing instructions to: 
 insert the inner guidewire into a blood vessel; 
 pass the guidewire converter over the inner guidewire; 
 releasably lock the guidewire converter to the inner guidewire; and 
 pass a medical device into the blood vessel to a desired medical target delivery site with at least a portion of the medical device passing over the guidewire converter and into the blood vessel. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the elongate tubular structure further comprises a distal less rigid portion and a proximal more rigid portion. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the guidewire converter further comprises a tapered distal end including a radiopaque marker proximate the distal end. 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a collet and a locking sleeve, the locking sleeve being slidably movable relative to the collet such that the collet is releasably securable to the inner guidewire. 
     
     
       13. A method of providing a medical device, comprising:
 providing a guidewire converter comprising an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen having an inner diameter, the elongate tubular structure having a first outer diameter, the first outer diameter being constant along a length of the elongate tubular structure and the first outer diameter being sized to accommodate other intravascular medical devices routed over the guidewire converter to a desired medical target delivery site, the inner diameter of the lumen being such as to receive an inner guidewire for intravascular procedures; 
 a locking mechanism operably coupled to the elongate tubular structure, the locking mechanism having a second outer diameter that is less than or equal to the first outer diameter wherein operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the inner guidewire; and 
 providing instructions to: 
 insert the inner guidewire with the guidewire converter releasably secured thereover into a blood vessel; 
 advance the inner guidewire with the guidewire converter releasably secured thereover until a distal end of the inner guidewire is at a desired location; 
 release the guidewire converter from the inner guidewire; and 
 withdraw the guidewire converter from the blood vessel over the inner guidewire. 
 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the elongate tubular structure further comprises a distal less rigid portion and a proximal more rigid portion. 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the guidewire converter further comprises a tapered distal end including a radiopaque marker proximate the distal end. 
     
     
       16. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a collet and a locking sleeve, the locking sleeve being slidably movable relative to the collet such that the collet is releasably securable to the inner guidewire.